January 18, 2006

US expected to import more Canadian cattle in 2006

Canadian cattle exports to the US will increase in 2006 as more countries re-open their markets to US beef, said Dennis Laycraft, Canadian Cattlemen's Association executive director on Jan 16.

Laycraft estimated that 700,000 to 1 million Canadian cattle would be imported by the US in 2006.

He said US beef processors are active and there is strong confidence in the resumption of US beef exports to Japan and South Korea.

The US closed its border to live Canadian cattle when a case of mad cow disease was discovered in May 2003. Its border was re-opened to live Canadian cattle in July 2005. From then until Dec 31, 2005, some 524,000 head of cattle were imported.

As Canada increased its slaughter capacity in 2005, Laycraft is not anticipating a flood of live cattle to be exported to the US. He said Canadian slaughter numbers could reach 106,000 head a week by mid-2006.

He hopes that the US will relax its import restrictions to allow cattle over 30 months of age.